Closure lock-prop

Abstract

Apparatus for preventing the opening of a movable closure--such as a pivoted door--from either side thereof. First and second rods are pivotedly mounted together to be folded up for storage or transport, or to be disposed in end-to-end relationship when the apparatus is operative. A third rod slides with respect to the first and second rods and operatively engages the first and second rods to lock them together in end-to-end relationship. A fork for engaging the door knob is provided at one end of the rods, and an engaging member for securely engaging either a carpet or a smooth floor is provided at the other end of the rods. A chain having an enlarged loop at one end and an elongated pin at the other end cooperates with a tubular member formed on the rods to facilitate locking of a pivoted door from the jamb side thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for preventing the opening of a movable closure comprising first and second elongated rods; means for pivotedly mounting said first and second rods for movement from a first position wherein the rods abut in substantially end-to-end relationship to a second position wherein the rods extend substantially parallel to each other; means for effecting adjustment of the effective length of at least one of said rods; means associated with said first rod for firmly abutting the movable closure; means associated with said second rod for engaging a stationary member adjacent the closure to prevent relative movement between the closure and the stationary member; and means for selectively locking said first and second rods in the first position thereof; said means for selectively locking said first and second rods in the first position thereof comprising a third elongated rod having a latching portion formed as a hook on one end thereof; means formed on one of said first and second rods for allowing guided linear movement of said third rod parallel to said one of said first and second rods; and latching means formed on the other of said first and second rods for cooperating with said latching portion of said third rod to maintain said third rod latched in a position wherein it extends across said first and second rods in operative engagement with each; said latching means comprising means defining an aperture in said other of said first and second rods for receipt of said hook therein. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for allowing guided linear movement of said third rod comprises a sleeve, which allows relative rotational movement of said third rod within it. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a grasping member formed on said third rod adjacent said hook for facilitating relative movement of said third rod with respect to said first and second rods, and wherein said one rod comprises said second rod, and wherein said other rod comprises said first rod. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means associated with said first rod for abutting said closure comprise a fork having an exterior surface of abrasion and slippage preventing material. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus for preventing the opening of a movable closure comprising an elongated substantially rigid member having a first end thereof formed for abutting the closure; and means formed on a second end thereof, opposite said first end, for engaging a stationary member adjacent the closure to prevent relative movement between the closure and the stationary member; wherein the improvement comprises: said means for engaging the stationary member comprising a U-shaped engaging member having two legs, and having first and second substantially parallel faces, the faces having different textures each capable of engaging the stationary member without defacement or destruction of the stationary member; and for mounting said engaging member with respect to said elongated member so that the legs of said U-shaped engaging member are on opposite sides of said elongated member and so that said engaging member may pivot from a position wherein said first face engages the stationary member to a position wherein said second face engages the stationary member.   
     
     
       6. Apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein the first face has a texture for engaging a smooth-surfaced stationary member in non-slip relationship, and wherein the second face has a texture for engaging a carpet in non-slip relationship. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said first face includes a rubberized material, and wherein said second face includes a plurality of projections. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus for preventing the opening of a pivoted closure, for opening in one direction and abutting a jamb member for stopping movement in the other direction, said apparatus comprising: an elongated substantially rigid member; and   means for operatively holding said elongated member between the pivoted closure and a stationary member adjacent either the jamb side or the opening side of the pivoted closure so that the pivoted closure may not move with respect to the stationary member whether said elongated member is disposed on the jamb side or the opening side of the pivoted closure.   
     
     
       9. Apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said operatively holding means comprises a chain having an enlarged link formed at one end thereof and an elongated pin at the other end thereof, and a tubular member formed on said elongated substantially rigid member, the tubular member having a slit formed therein for receipt of a link from said chain, and the passageway through said tubular member being large enough to allow the passage of said elongated pin therethrough. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein said elongated substantially rigid member comprises first and second rods pivotedly mounted together, and wherein said operative holding means includes a third rod, a sleeve mounted on said second rod for allowing linear guided and rotational movement of said third rod with respect to said first and second rods, and a member formed on said third rod adjacent one end thereof for engaging said first rod to tighten the chain and hold the elongated member in locking position on the jamb side of the pivoted closure. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein said third rod has a hook latching portion formed on the end thereof adjacent said member formed on said third rod, said hook being disposed substantially 180° around said rod as said member, and said member being a grasping member; and wherein means defining an aperture in said first rod are provided for receipt of said hook therein for locking said elongated member in a position wherein said first and second rods are in end-to-end position. 
     
     
       12. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for effecting adjustment of the effective length of at least one of said rods comprises a screw threaded rod extending between said second rod and said means associated with said second rod for engaging a stationary member adjacent the closure. 
     
     
       13. Apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said grasping member is rubber coated.